The Lexington Republican faces Democrat Vincent Sheheen in the November general election following her destruction of rival Gresham Barrett for the GOP gubernatorial nomination.

Haley's rising profile has raised some concerns that she would replicate Sanford's famously fractious relationship with the General Assembly if she is elected governor.

Other Sanford allies or Sanford-like figures include state Rep. Tim Scott, R-N. Charleston, who won a runoff for the 1st Congressional District seat, and Andy Patrick, a Republican challenger in Hilton Head who beat incumbent Rep. Richard Chalk by 70 percent to 30 percent on Tuesday.

Patrick, a former U.S. Secret Service agent, enjoyed the backing of Sanford's former chief of staff, Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort.

Chalk had pointed to his support from two party leaders frequently at odds with Sanford - House GOP Majority Leader Kenny Bingham, R-Cayce, and House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, to prove his effectiveness.

The association with Bingham and Harrell may have given him an "establishment" image - a risky strategy during a campaign in which everyone's opponent apparently was a good ol' boy.

In Aiken County, Republicans had been loyal to the governor even as he squirmed after his extramarital affair. The county is such Sanford country that the disgraced governor even felt it was a safe enough place for him to offer Rep. Jim Stewart, R-Aiken, his endorsement in the June 8 primary.

While GOP challenger Bill Taylor defeated Stewart and faces no Democratic opponent in November, Aiken County is not electing an anti-Sanford to the state House.

Before the primary, Taylor bashed Sanford the man but acknowledged that he liked the disgraced governor's "conservative views."

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